Masonry Fireplaces

Burning wood creates significant pollution. Emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, VOCsVolatile organic compound. An organic compound that evaporates readily into the atmosphere; as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are organic compounds that volatize and then become involved in photochemical smog production., and methane are significantly greater from wood stoves than from any other common heating fuel.

However, when wood is locally available and can be harvested sustainably, it has no net impact on global warming—because the carbon emissions from combustion are more than compensated for by growing trees. Thus, if wood is burned in a manner that minimizes pollution, it can be a good fuel choice.

Products listed here have superior burning efficiencies and reduced particulate emissions in comparison even the best wood stoves.

The high thermal massHeavy, high-heat-capacity material that can absorb and store a significant amount of heat; used in passive solar heating to keep the house warm at night.
of masonry heaters and biomassOrganic waste that can be converted to usable forms of energy such as heat or electricity, or crops grown specifically for that purpose.-fueled boiler systems can more effectively capture, store, and release heat over time. The downside of a high-mass masonry heater is that the heat of a freshly lit fire may not be felt in the living space until several hours later. In passive solar homes this may make temperature regulation difficult.

Burning wood creates significant pollution. Emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, VOCs, and methane are significantly greater from wood stoves than from any other common heating fuel.
However, when wood is locally available and can be harvested sustainably, it has no net impact on global warming—because the carbon emissions from combustion are more than compensated for by growing trees. Thus, if wood is burned in a manner that minimizes pollution, it can be a good fuel choice.